Lakers Cannot Let Alex Caruso's Cult Hero Status Become a Harmful Distraction
By Michael Luciano
In a 2018-19 season that had a shortage of good news for the Los Angeles Lakers, former G League guard Alex Caruso emerged as a reason to keep tuning in after the team was eliminated from playoff contention, becoming a mini-breakout star thanks to his high-flying athleticism.
Caruso ended up being one of the few Lakers to stick around after the Anthony Davis-led roster purge, but has struggled in the preseason. And that means Frank Vogel and Co. have to take special care that the up-and-coming guard doesn't wilt under what may very well be unfair expectations.
Alex Caruso has high standards for himself, and he admits that he didn’t play up to them this preseason. Now that he’s hurt on top of that, @AlexmRegla writes that he may face an uphill battle against both health and expectations to start the season. https://t.co/jRQBSUrgOE pic.twitter.com/osrgtvpDVY
— Silver Screen & Roll (@LakersSBN) October 21, 2019
Sure, it's cool to see the guy with a bald spot go in between his legs and dunk, but the Lakers need to hold him accountable if he starts playing like the two-way player he was toward to the end of last year without damaging his confidence.
Caruso has value on this team, as he can attack the rim and spot up from behind the arc, but he's still a limited player on the defensive end and has proven to be a streaky scorer. The Lakers can't be afraid to send Caruso to the bench if he starts sabotaging the Lakers' chances in a crowded West-- but that can't be their catch-all solution all year long.
Soooo.... Alex Caruso for MVP this season ???? pic.twitter.com/DifQBR8RJ8
— esmé (@esme_gonzalez3) October 21, 2019
LA doesn't have a deep bench, so we'll see Caruso plenty in 2019-20. Hopefully, he can work his way beyond the mental road blocks he's encountered in the preseason. That may be the difference between a good season and a great one under the bright lights at the Staples Center.